Do your dreams actually mean anything for real?

Gasp! You’re suddenly wide awake!

Haunted!

Terrified!!

Confused!!!

Hot and bothered?

What the heck was that about?

You had a hot and bothered dream and now you’re wondering about the one you were so involved with…

As you’re panting — in fear! — after being chased through the woods, or alleys and vacant buildings, “What was that about?” you wonder.

First thing to keep in mind is that dreams are almost always about the dreamer. That’s you.

Each of the components, elements, objects, persons in the dream are a representation of you. A representation of your emotions. Your thoughts. Your situation.

Dream interpretation is a huge subject and I don’t claim to be an expert. It’s just something I find so fascinating that I’ve been willing to work out interpretations for the last few decades.

Here’s the truth, though. Every component in your dream has the potential of being meaningful. To you.

Dream Meanings: Vehicles

For example, what about cars and trucks? In a dream a vehicle may be a representation of your life in general.

• Is the vehicle in good shape? Dilapidated? A junker?
• What color is it?
• What kind of car — sports car, four-door sedan, SUV? Big construction vehicle?
• What is the road like? The landscape?
• How fast or slow is it going? Are you having fun? Scared witless?

And very important:

Who is driving?

If you’re not driving, or the vehicle is going too fast, it could mean that your life is out of control — and you’re not in control anyway.

If it’s a junker, dilapidated and creaking along, you might want to reassess your home life or work situation. Maybe even your spiritual life.

What about color? Something bright and daring? Or something so dull it doesn’t even shine in full sunlight?

I know someone who had a…

Dream about riding in a cute little red convertible with the top down (nice, huh?)… on a narrow winding road… going downhill…. Her then-boyfriend was driving…

What do you think about that one? [rolling eyes] Yep, that one’s pretty clear.

Dream Meanings: Buildings and Rooms

So how do you begin to unravel a dream? They’re so full of — stuff —contradictions — emotions…

The first thing is to look at orderliness or chaos.

If it looks like a whirlwind blew through, that’s probably the state of your emotions or thoughts. Chaos! Everything going every which way!

“Where’s the magic?” you ask.

Well, that’s something you’ll have to pull out of your hat. Start by writing down your thoughts. Writing down your feelings, your emotions.

And keep going until you get to an answer of sorts.

Dream Meanings: People

So you have a friend or someone you know who makes repeat appearances in your dreams. (Remember that dreams are about you, how you feel and think.)

What does that person represent to you?

I know someone who kept dreaming about a long-ago ex-boyfriend. Confusing, right?

What did he represent to her? When she put some thought into it, she found strength, responsibility, safety, security.

When she thought about the dreams, she realized that they were unhappy dreams and the ex-BF was a stabilizing force.

Dream Meanings: The S Word

The Wild Thing. In a dream, this is an act of creation. So sorry… It’s generally not about actually doing the wild thing with that person for real.

So if it’s about creation, then what does it mean?

• What are you creating in your real life?
• What are you hoping to create?
• What is lacking in your real life and how would you like for your life to change?
• Do you need to make a job change?
• Is your hometown stifling you? Your home situation crushing you?

Are you in need of making some changes in your personal life?

Think about that person for a moment or two. What do you like about him or her? What is it about her or him that you want in your own life?

Remember, it’s all about you and not about the personality you are using as a dream component.

Dream Meanings: What about bad dreams?

Same thing. De-code the components. What does each component mean to you?

• Running
• Being hunted
• Not having enough… food/money/friends/shelter

And so on.

Not all bad dreams are actually bad, though.

For example, a long time ago I had a dream about wandering through a dilapidated building in a ramshackle amusement park. I was appalled, so I brought it up during a counseling session.

We worked through it, discovering that it was actually a good dream about how I had matured from who I used to be and the self-confident woman I was growing into. Nice, huh?

However, if you keep having bad dreams, it’s a good idea to contact a therapist and get some help sorting through your emotions.

To-Do

Write down your dreams as often as you can. Do it immediately because, as you already know, they fade out in just a few minutes.

Keep track of repeating components. And repeating themes.

Repeating? What’s up with that?

It’s time to wear your Curiosity Hat, seek through the depths, think “what if” for those components and themes.

You’ll probably notice a recurring theme that your subconscious mind is trying to bring to your attention.

Then you’ll have a starting point for your break through, for your next moment of enlightenment, a catalyst for the next change you make.

Inspiring, isn’t it?

It’s all about you — it really is

It’s true: Dreams can be confusing. But sometimes they’re hopeful, too.

Sometimes they’re just a jumble of memories and thoughts being organized, categorized, and archived by your brain.

Sometimes they’re your cue for excitement. Or escape.

Sometimes they’re about a situation that needs more thoughtfulness.

Sometimes they highlight your potential — for what? (exciting, right?)

Sometimes they’re magical and give you clues for needed changes.

Sometimes they just brighten your thoughts. 😊

Patience + persistence + hypnosis

Still confused? Hypnosis can help you unravel your dreams to find the deeper meanings that’ll help you move forward.

Hypnotherapy is the best way I know of to make the changes in your situation or to your self-talk — those meaningful changes you’ve been hoping for, wishing for — craving.

Hypnotherapy can bring you into alignment with your deepest self, your deepest thoughts and needs. Into alignment with your soul’s intentions.

Hypnosis has the potential to re-Create your life into something delightful, too.

You can find many audios online to guide you and help you.

Or you can rely on me and head on over to my website to take a look at my Holiday Hypnosis Audio for less stress, overeating, overspending, or poor relationships

I firmly believe in mind over matter. I firmly believe that you can change your life simply by changing your self-talk. By changing your perspective. My clients believe in it, too.

It’s just a lot easier when you have a mentor helping you.

Lotsa hugs,

Peg McMahan, HHP, CHt, LMT

Silencing the sneaky snarky inner critic